Midjourney Prompt Guide 2026 | How to Write Prompts for Illustrations, Anime & Photorealistic Images

The key to generating high-quality images in Midjourney lies in how you write your prompts. By mastering the optimal prompt structure for different styles — illustrations, anime, and photorealistic images — you can generate exactly the visuals you’re aiming for.

For a beginner’s overview of Midjourney, see our Midjourney Complete Guide | Usage, Pricing & Video Generation.

Midjourney Prompt Structure: The Basics

The Most Effective Format

The following structure consistently produces the best results in Midjourney:

[Subject / Main Content] [Style] [Lighting / Atmosphere] [Technical Parameters]

Example: A majestic wolf in a moonlit forest, oil painting style, dramatic shadows, mystical atmosphere --ar 16:9 --v 7 --q 2

Key Parameters Reference

Parameter	Purpose	Example
–ar	Aspect ratio	–ar 16:9 (landscape), –ar 1:1 (square)
–v	Model version	–v 7 (latest), –v 6.1
–q	Quality (0.25–2)	–q 2 (maximum quality)
–s	Stylize strength (0–1000)	–s 750 (default)
–no	Exclude elements	–no text, watermark
–sref	Style reference image	–sref [URL]

Prompts by Style

Photorealistic / Photography Style

Portrait of a professional businesswoman, DSLR photo, 85mm lens, soft bokeh background, natural window lighting, ultra-detailed skin texture --ar 3:4 --v 7 --q 2

Key words for photorealism: DSLR photo • f/1.8 aperture • photorealistic • ultra-detailed • natural lighting

Anime / Illustration Style

Magical girl character, Studio Ghibli inspired, soft watercolor style, cherry blossoms background, vibrant colors, detailed fabric texture --ar 1:1 --v 7 --s 800

Key words for anime: anime style • Studio Ghibli • cel shading • soft watercolor • manga illustration

Fantasy / Concept Art Style

Ancient dragon perched on a castle tower at dusk, dramatic volumetric lighting, fantasy concept art, highly detailed, by artstation masters --ar 16:9 --v 7 --q 2

Abstract / Artistic Style

Geometric abstract composition, vibrant neon colors, flowing liquid shapes, futuristic digital art, symmetric design --ar 1:1 --s 1000 --v 7

Advanced Techniques

Using –niji for Anime (Best Results)

For anime and manga-style images, the –niji model is specifically optimized:

Samurai warrior in cherry blossom garden, dynamic action pose, detailed armor, Japanese art style --niji 6 --ar 2:3

Style Reference with –sref

Upload a reference image to apply its visual style:

Futuristic city skyline --sref [your-image-url] --sw 100 --v 7

Multi-Subject Compositions

A fox and an owl sitting together under a glowing lantern in a misty forest, fairy tale illustration, warm golden tones --ar 4:3 --v 7 --q 2

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too vague: a beautiful woman → Better: a young Japanese woman in traditional kimono, soft studio lighting, serene expression, shallow depth of field --ar 3:4

Contradictory styles: Don’t combine conflicting styles like “photorealistic anime” without specifying which should dominate.

Ignoring parameters: Always specify –ar for the correct format and –v 7 to ensure you’re using the latest model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I write prompts in English or Japanese?
A: English consistently produces better results. Midjourney is primarily trained on English text, so English prompts give you more control and accuracy.

Q: What’s the difference between –v 7 and –niji 6?
A: –v 7 is the general model for all styles. –niji 6 is specialized for anime and manga aesthetics and produces significantly better results for that style.

Q: How do I make images more detailed?
A: Add descriptors like “ultra-detailed,” “8K,” “highly detailed,” and use –q 2. You can also use –s to increase stylization.

Q: Can I use generated images commercially?
A: Commercial use is permitted on the Standard plan and above. The free tier does not allow commercial use. Always check Midjourney’s current terms of service.